Pocket

ABSTRACT

A pocket suitable for incorporation in garments, luggage items, personal accessories or the like is provided with an active mechanism and control apparatus to close the pocket. Such closing action may be triggered manually but can also be triggered automatically when the pocket is moved away from an upright orientation or experiences a jolting action. In one embodiment the closing action is performed by a length of shape memory material which contracts when heated to pull the pocket front panel top portion against the rear panel top portion and close the pocket opening.

This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/028,125filed on Dec. 21, 2001 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,834,797.

The present invention relates to pockets suitable for incorporation ingarments, luggage items, personal accessories or the like and inparticular to pockets which are intended to prevent any items held inthe pockets from falling out inadvertently.

It is commonplace to provide garments with pockets so that the owner cancarry items around by placing them in the pockets. However, it ispossible for items to be unintentionally ejected from or to fall out ofthose pockets due to movements of the user. This is particularly likelywhen a person begins to run which imparts a jolting motion to thepocket. When a person bends down causing the pocket to adopt anorientation unsuitable for containing an object the object will fallout. In the latter case shirt pockets are particularly susceptible tothis problem. At best the occurrence of an item falling out of a pocketis an inconvenience. However, where items are valuable the resultingloss of the item or damage caused to the item through it falling out ofthe pocket can be a more serious issue. One known attempt to addressthis problem is through the inclusion of a fastening device such as azip or button and hole arrangement to close the opening of the pocket.The provision of such devices can be beneficial but in certain cases canbe detrimental to the appearance of the garment. Furthermore, suchfastening devices require a person to remember to actively fasten closedthe pocket opening. If a person forgets to do this, items can fall outof pockets as before. Another issue is that where a person does actuallyremember to fasten the device, they must actively unfasten the device inorder to access the interior of the pocket and retrieve items located inthat pocket. In those cases where frequent access to the pocket isrequired, the repeated task of fastening and unfastening of the pocketopening can become inconvenient which then discourages the user tofasten the pocket on a regular basis.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved pocketwhich is capable of reducing the likelihood of objects held therein fromfalling out inadvertently or being ejected accidentally.

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention there isprovided a pocket suitable for incorporating in a garment, luggage item,personal accessory, or the like, said pocket including restriction meansto restrict the insertion of objects into, or removal of objects fromthe pocket, the restriction means being controllable to cause the saidrestriction means to restrict to apply a restricting action on theoccurrence of an enabling signal. The restriction means may be providedin the form of mechanical means responding to the enabling signal.

Therefore on the occurrence of the enabling signal the restriction meansis activated to restrict the insertion into or removal of objects fromthe pocket. Such restriction serves to reduce the likelihood of objectsheld either partially or completely in the pocket from falling outinadvertently or being ejected accidentally.

The enabling signal may be generated at the command of the user. Thisallows the user to activate the restriction means at will which istypically done when the user is aware that they are about to commence anactivity of the type bringing about circumstances in which it ispossible that items may be ejected from the pocket. A user may choose toactivate the restriction means for other reasons, for example when theuser becomes aware that they are in an environment where the probabilityof unauthorised removal of objects from the pockets is relatively high.

The enabling signal may be generated in response to output signal statusof at least one sensor. The sensor may be an orientation sensor arrangedto produce an output signal dependent on the orientation of the pocket,the output signal initiating generation of the enabling signal when thepocket adopts an orientation in which it is possible that objects placedin the pocket will fall out.

A pocket featuring this arrangement is particularly suitable for use inthe form of a shirt pocket. When someone wearing the shirt bends downtowards the ground the pocket opening may become positioned closer tothe ground than the base of the pocket which can cause any objectscarried in the pocket to fall out of the pocket opening under theinfluence of gravity. However, with the present arrangement when aperson wearing a shirt having a pocket made in accordance with thepresent invention bends down towards the ground the orientation sensormay establish that the pocket opening is about to be positioned closerto the ground than the pocket base and produces an output signal toinitiate generation of the enabling signal and cause activation of therestriction means. Preferably the orientation sensor initiatesgeneration of the enabling signal whenever it is possible that objectsplaced in the pockets will fall out which in practice includesorientations in addition to the case where the pocket opening is closerto the ground than the pocket base, for example when the pocket base andpocket opening are generally at the same distance from the ground, orwhere the pocket opening is further from the ground than the pocket basebut by only a relatively small amount.

The sensor may be an accelerometer arranged to produce an output signaldependent on acceleration experienced by the pocket, the output signalinitiating generation of the enabling signal when the sensor outputsignal indicates that the pocket is undergoing jolting movement. Suchmovement may be experienced when the pocket is being worn by a personwho is running, in which case activation of the restriction means willhelp to prevent ejection of items held in the pocket.

Other aspects and optional features of the present invention appear inthe appended claims which are incorporated herein by reference, and towhich the reader is now referred.

The present invention will now be described with reference to theFigures of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of functional components of apocket made in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a first embodiment of a pocket construction made inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of a pocket construction made inaccordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 4 shows a third embodiment of a pocket construction made inaccordance with the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the functional components of the pocket include afirst sensor 2, a second sensor 4, user input device 6, controller 8,and actuator 10.

The first sensor 2 is an orientation sensor used to establish theorientation of the pocket. To perform this function the sensor isattached to the pocket itself, or where the pocket is fastened to anitem, such as a garment, the sensor may be attached to a portion of theitem which will reliably reflect the orientation of the pocket.

The second sensor 4 is an accelerometer to measure the acceleration ofthe pocket. To perform this function the second sensor 4 is attached tothe pocket itself, or where the pocket is fastened to an item, such as agarment, the sensor may be attached to a portion of the item which willreliably reflect the acceleration experienced by the pocket.

The user input device 6 provides a user with a means to control pocketoperation. This may be a simple switch or a more elaborate device.Output signals from sensors 2, 4, and user input device 6 are providedto controller 8. The signals provided to the controller 8 are used bythe controller to determine if an enabling signal should be generated atcontroller output 9 which enabling signal is provided to actuator 10.The presence of the enabling signal at controller output 9 causesactuator 10 to operate. By suitably incorporating actuator 10 in apocket, operation of the actuator 10 will result in the pocket assuminga configuration which restricts or impedes the removal of any objectsfrom the pocket as will be explained in more detail hereinafter.

Such configuration is capable of restricting or impeding such removalirrespective of whether the removal is attempted manually, involves theobjects falling from the pocket or objects being ejected (thrown) fromthe pocket. Such assumed configuration may also restrict or impedeinsertion of the objects into the pocket.

When the first sensor (orientation sensor) 2 determines that a pocket issubstantially upright, that is the pocket is orientated with the pocketopening positioned at a higher level than the pocket base, an objectplaced inside the pocket will be held therein by gravity and will nothave a tendency to fall out. While the pocket is in this orientation theoutput signal from the sensor 2 is such that the controller 8 does notcause the enabling signal to be generated at controller output 9 and theactuator 10 does not operate. Conversely, when the first orientationsensor 2 determines that the pocket is not substantially upright, thatis where the pocket is orientated with a pocket opening positioned at ahigher level than the pocket base but by a smaller amount than when thepocket is substantially upright, or where the orientation sensor 2determines that the pocket opening is positioned at the same level asthe pocket base or even at a lower level than the pocket base, anyobject placed inside the pocket will be more susceptible to falling out.While the pocket is in any of these configurations, the output signalfrom the sensor 2 causes the controller 8 to generate an enabling signalat the controller output 9. This in turn causes operation of theactuator 10 which results in the pocket assuming a configuration whichrestricts or impedes the removal of any objects held in the pocket.

When the pocket is experiencing acceleration due to jolting movement,the second sensor 4 (accelerometer) also experiences such accelerationand produces an output signal representing such acceleration. Thissignal is provided to the controller 8. In response to receiving thissignal the controller 8 generates an enabling signal at the controlleroutput 9. This in turn causes operation of the actuator 10. Suchoperation of the actuator results in the pocket assuming a configurationwhich restricts or impedes the removal or ejection of any objects heldin the pocket.

A user may operate user input device 6 to instruct controller 8 togenerate the enabling signal at controller output 9 causing the actuator10 to operate. This causes the pocket to assume a configuration whichrestricts or impedes the removal of objects therefrom, with suchrestriction or impeding action occurring at the command of the user.

Now that the main functional elements of a pocket of the presentinvention have been discussed, some example pocket configurations willbe described.

In a first embodiment a simple pocket construction 20 shown in FIG. 2includes a semi-rigid rear panel 22 and a flexible front panel 24. Therear panel 22 and the front panel 24 are joined to each other in thevicinity of their periphery along a first side edge 25 a, a second sideedge 25 b and base edge 25 c. The panels may be joined by any suitabletechnique such as gluing or stitching as will be appreciated by theperson skilled in the art. However, the top edge portion 22T of the rearpanel is not joined to the top edge portion 24T of the front panel 24 inorder to form a pocket opening 26 allowing access to interior pocketspace 27.

An actuator 10 is provided in the form of a shape memory material 28provided as an elongate component extending across the front panel 24from the first side edge 25 a to the second side edge 25 b adjacent tothe top edge portion 24T of the front panel 24, that is in the vicinityof the pocket opening 26. The shape memory material 28 is anchored tothe pocket 20 at location 29 a in the region of the first side edge 25 aand location 29 b in the region of the second side edge 25 b. The anchorlocations 29 a and 29 b are maintained in spaced relation to each otherdue to the properties of the semi-rigid rear panel 22.

The shape memory material 28 used in this embodiment is provided as alength of shape memory material. An example of such material is NickelTitanium alloy which is also known as Nitinol, although other knowntrade names for such shape memory materials include Tinel, Flexinol,Muscle Wire, Smart Wire, Dynalloy, NiTi and TiNi.

The properties of shape memory alloys such as nickel titanium alloy aresuch that they undergo a phase transformation in their crystal structurewith a change in temperature. The temperature around which phasetransformation takes place can be governed by controlling the alloycomposition. When the material is at temperatures higher than thetemperature range where phase transformation occurs the material is inthe so-called high temperature (austenite) form. While in this “hightemperature” form the material will allow a deformation to occur on theapplication of stress, but will return to its original shape on removalof the stress. When at temperatures lower than the temperature rangewhere the phase transformation occurs the material is in the so-called“low temperature” (martensite) form. While in this “low temperature”form the material can also be deformed but much more easily (that iswith the application of less stress) than when the material is in thehigh temperature form. Furthermore, on removal of the stress, thematerial remains in the deformed configuration and does not return toits original shape. However, if the material is now heated to its “hightemperature” (austenite) state the material will return to its originalshape, which is why the material is said to have “shape memory”. Becausemuch higher stresses are required to cause deformation to the materialwhen in the austenite phase that are required when in the martensitephase, the effect of heating deformed material from the low temperaturemartensite form to the high temperature austenite form is that thematerial can regain its original shape and may do so with considerableforce. Such force is often greater than the stress that was applied todeform the material in the low temperature phase in the first place,with the effect that the material may be capable of regaining itsoriginal shape even in the presence of the stress used to cause thedeformation. This behaviour has resulted in nickel titanium alloy wirebeing known as “Muscle Wire”.

The shape memory material (in this case a length of nickel titaniumalloy wire 28) is selected to be of a length such that in an original,substantially non deformed state it extends across the width of thefront panel 24 in a relatively direct line between anchor points 29 aand 29 b. In general there will be substantially no slack in the wire.Such a direct line taken by the wire has the effect that it presses onthe front panel 24 causing top edge portion 24T to be held against thetop edge portion of semi-rigid rear panel 22T which means that pocketopening 26 will be closed. In order to gain access to the interiorpocket space 27 the front panel top edge portion 24T may be eased awayfrom the rear panel top edge portion 22T by a user. This process ofeasing the front panel top edge portion with sufficient force causes theshape memory material to stretch (that is deform). While the shapememory material is in the low temperature (martensite) form the materialmay be deformed to a stretched condition without the application ofexcessive stress, and the material remains stretched even when thestress has been subsequently removed. A pocket is now in an “open”configuration exhibiting pocket opening 26 and items can be insertedinto and removed from the pocket in the normal manner.

Now assume that the controller 8 produces an enabling signal at output9. This may be due to action of the user operating user input device 6,due to signals received from sensor 2 indicating that the pocket isabout to assume or has already assumed an orientation where it is likelyitems will fall out of the pocket or due to signals received from sensor4 indicating that the pocket is undergoing acceleration of the typewhere items could be ejected from the pocket. The enabling signal 9 isprovided to actuator 10, in this case shape memory material 28 to causeheating of the shape memory material 28 such that it attains its hightemperature (Austenite) form. On making transition to this phase thematerial regains its original shape which means that the nickel titaniumwire 28 contracts to assume a direct line between anchor point 29 a and29 b, which in the process pulls front panel top portion 24T againstrear panel top portion 22T to urge the pocket opening 26 to close up ina manner so as to restrict or impede the removal of objects from theinterior pocket space (or insertion of objects into the pocket space).The shape memory material may be heated by use of an external heatsource, induction heating mechanism or any suitable method, as will beapparent to the person skilled in the art. However in this arrangementthe shape memory material is heated by passing an electric currentthrough the nickel titanium alloy wire 28 itself which generates heatthrough the well known Joule heating mechanism.

On removal of the enabling signal 9 the shape memory material cools tothe low temperature form in which it can again be stretched by theapplication of stress to allow access to the internal pocket space 27.

The shape memory material 28 may be attached to the front panel 24between anchor points 29 a and 29 b by providing the panel 24 with aconduit, channel or plurality of loops through which the shape memorymaterial passes. The actuator 10 may be provided in the form of one or aplurality of components, for example as a single strand of wire 28 or abundle of wires 28 to provide the required characteristic behaviour,strength and even redundancy should a strand break.

In addition to or instead of providing shape memory material 28 at thetop edge 24T of the panel near the pocket opening, shape memory materialmay be arranged to extend across other regions of the pocket betweenfirst and second side edges 25 a and 25 b as is denoted by items 28′. Asshown, the additional shape memory metal elements 28′ are arrangedparallel with the shape memory material 28, but lower down the pocket tospan the front panel 24 but spaced from the pocket opening 26. Thesecomponents 28′ operate in a similar way to shape memory component 28 butnot to close the pocket opening 26 itself. However, it will beappreciated that such components will still be capable of providing arestricting action to serve to retain some items in the pocket 20.

It is preferred that the shape memory material is of a composition suchthat any ambient temperatures in which the pocket is expected to be usedwill fall within the low temperature (martensite) range of the materialin order to avoid unintentional operation. It is also preferable thatthe transition temperature is not so high that the shape memory materialneeds to be excessively insulated to avoid damage to the pocket, articlethe pocket is attached to, or to avoid causing discomfort to a user. Inone specific example the transitional temperature between the martensiteand austenite form was 70 degrees Celsius but a temperature closer to 60degrees Celsius is also suitable.

A second embodiment is shown in FIG. 3 which is similar to the firstembodiment but which performs without the requirement of the rear panel22 needing to be semi-rigid. In this arrangement the shape memorymaterial 38 is anchored at points 39 a, 39 b located beyond the pocketregion on a garment or article carrying the pocket rather than thepocket itself. The anchor points 39 a, 39 b are maintained in spacedrelation by the garment or article construction. The shape memorymaterial 38 may be the same as the shape memory material 28 and in thisinstance operates in a similar manner to that described above. Onceagain, restriction of the shape memory material to regain its originalshape causes closure of the pocket opening. The shape memory materialmay be attached to the pocket front panel 34 by providing the panel witha conduit, channel, or plurality of loops through which the shape memorymaterial passes. Further examples of shape memory material may beincluded at other portions of the pocket.

A third embodiment is shown in FIG. 4 but here the shape memory material48 is formed as a loop. The shape memory material 48 may be of the sametype as the shape memory material 28 or 38 and therefore will operate ina similar manner to that described above. The shape memory material maybe attached to the front panel 44 by providing the pocket with aconduit, channel or plurality of loops through which the shape memorymaterial passes. However, because the shape memory material is formed asa loop it may be arranged within garments in a path that also forms aloop. For example, when the pocket is located on an arm section of agarment, which has a generally circular cross section, the loop may bearranged to circle the arm portion so as to travel around the arm of aperson when wearing a jacket. On activation of the pocket a constrictingaction will pull the pocket front panel 44 towards the arm of the usertherefore giving rise to a restricting action. Strengthening rings maybe provided in the arm section and also circle the arm portion so thatthe restricting action of the loops of shape memory material 48 is borneby the strengthening rings therefore avoiding imparting an uncomfortablerestricting action on the arm of a wearer.

While the present invention has been described with reference toactuators formed of shape memory alloy, other techniques may be employedfor providing an actuator capable of closing a pocket opening orproviding a restricting action to secure any items in the pockets. Suchpossibilities include the provision of bimetallic strips fastened toportions of the pocket which strips are able to undergo a change inshape on occurrence of the enabling signal or use of electromagnetic orother devices capable of behaving as an actuator as required by a pocketof the present invention.

It is also possible that shape memory material may be woven, knitted orbraided to produce an actuator having required operationalcharacteristics. Indeed, such techniques may be employed to integrate anactuator into components, such as textile material, that are part of thepocket or the article in which the pocket is incorporated.

Furthermore, while a very simple pocket construction has been describedand illustrated as comprising merely of a front panel and a rear panelthis is for the purpose of clarity. In practice a pocket may take adifferent form with each panel consisting of one or more layers, andcomponent parts of different shape, orientation or constructiongenerally, as will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art. One ormore portions of the pocket may be provided by a component of thegarment, personal luggage item or other article to which the pocket isapplied. Although the front panel of the pocket is described as the oneacted on by the restriction means this is not to be construed as alimitation and it will be appreciated by the person skilled in the artthat other pocket designs may use the restriction means to act on othercomponents of the pocket while remaining within the scope of the presentinvention. While three example sources of controller input signalsources have been described it is not essential that all are present.The controller may be a logic device or microprocessor. Variouscomponents of the present invention may actually be incorporated asparts of other devices, especially in the form of wearable electronicapparatus and/or wearable computing apparatus.

From reading the present disclosure, other modifications will beapparent to persons skilled in the art. Such modifications may involveother features which are already known in the design, manufacture anduse of systems and devices, actuators, apparel and furnishings andcomponent parts thereof and which may be used instead of or in additionto features already described herein.

1. A pocket, including a restrictor configured to restrict an insertionof objects into, or removal of objects from the pocket, the restrictorbeing controllable deformable and to apply a restricting action on anoccurence of an electronic enabling signal; wherein the pocket isconfigured to be incorporated in a wearable garment.
 2. The pocket ofclaim 1 wherein the electronic enabling signal is generated via acommand of a user.
 3. The pocket of claim 1 wherein the enabling signalis generated in response to an output signal status of at least onesensor.
 4. The pocket of claim 1 wherein the pocket is provided with aclosable access opening communicating with interior pocket space and therestrictor serves to urge the access opening closed on an occurence ofthe electronic enabling signal.
 5. The pocket of claim 1 wherein therestricting action terminates on cessation of the electronic enablingsignal.
 6. A restrictor comprising: a restrictive element that isconfigured to restrict an insertion of objects into, or removal ofobjects from a pocket, the restrictive element being controllabledeformable and to apply a restricting action on the occurrence of anelectronic enabling signal, the restricting action being provided by achange of shape of the restrictive element.
 7. An object comprising apocket that includes a restrictive element that is configured torestrict the insertion of objects into, or removal of objects from thepocket, the restrictive element being controllable deformable and toapply a restricting action on an occurence of an electronic enablingsignal, the restricting action being provided by a change of shape ofthe restrictive element.